A 1966 Bronze Crown Convertible


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This Convertible was advertised for auction on bringatrailer.com in June of 2018.

Here's what the seller had to say about this very nice unique Imperial:

Lot #10157

Seller: lingerpt

Location: Bonner Springs, Kansas 66012

Chassis: YM27J63108469

74,234 Miles

Refurbished in 2014

Rebuilt 440ci Wedgehead V8

Rebuilt 3-Speed Automatic Transmission

Additional Mechanical Updates

Repainted Bronze Metallic

New Leather Upholstery

New Soft Top

Private Party or Dealer: Private Party

This 1966 Chrysler Crown Imperial convertible has been with the seller since 2006 and benefits from a multi-year refurbishment completed in 2017 that features an exterior color change and updates to the interior, along with work to the powertrain, suspension, and braking components. Power is provided by the numbers-matching 440ci V8 that was rebuilt and updated with electronic ignition and mated to an overhauled 3-speed automatic transmission. Receipts documenting the refurbishment and engine rebuild are included in the sale, and this Imperial is offered with repair manuals and a clean Kansas title in the seller's name.

Finished from the factory in Dusty Gold (55-1), the car was repainted in its current Bronze Metallic by the seller. The new black soft top sourced from Haartz is shown raised above and retains a clear backlight as shown in several photos. The 1966 model year would be the final year for body-on-frame construction, and styling changes were limited to a new crosshatched grille and elimination of the previous year's faux Continental spare tire hump.

Factory 15" wheels are fitted with the correct wheel covers and wear a matching set of whitewall tires. Front and rear drum brakes have been rebuilt and are accompanied by new hoses

Per the seller, the interior retains its factory wood trim as well as its original door panel coverings, which were re-dyed in the proper black color. Additional updates include new calf-skin leather upholstery throughout along with a new and correct carpet kit, new door panel backings, a reconditioned radio, and new quartz clock in place of the factory unit.

Apart from the cruise control which has yet to be hooked up, other accessories, equipment, and instrument remain in working order per the seller, including all lights, power windows, door locks, and telescopic steering column. Several interior items are detailed up close in the gallery below. The 5-digit odometer shows approximately 74k miles and is believed accurate by the seller

The rebuilt numbers-matching 440ci V8 was rated by Chrysler at 350 horsepower and 480 ft-lb of torque when new and is mated with a rebuilt TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic transmission. Updates include new fuel hoses the installation of an MSD electronic ignition, and the last service occurred six months ago. Approximately 1k miles have been driven since the rebuild.

Updates to the suspension include a re-fabrication of the torsion bar-equipped front end, new leaf springs and shocks. Several photos are included in the gallery that highlight the condition of the undercarriage, and show the new exhaust and fuel tank.

 

Click on photos to see larger versions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

End of Auction UPDATE:

Comments from the seller:

I want to thank the BaT community for all of the wonderful comments! It truly is a spectacular car. To give everyone a little background, I have owned this car for a little over a decade and have known the car since the mid 1970's. I bought it from a friend of the family and drove it home upon purchase. Since that time, I have gone through everything including a complete strip and repaint. The car never had any rust, evidence of accident or repair and retains nearly everything as delivered from the factory (with a few minor exceptions such as the clock). Everything mechanical has been rebuilt. All chrome, trim and sheet metal are original to the car. When I started the restoration, everything was operational and only showed minor wear with one previous repaint prior to stripping the body and disassembling the car. Obviously I went a little overboard on the restoration but it was truly a labor of love. I'm happy to answer any questions or provide additional photos as needed. The winning bidder won't be disappointed as the car shows better in person. Thanks again for all of your wonderful feedback!

Comments from a gentleman who happened to see the car in person:

Seller struck me as super up-front, thorough, and knowledgeable. I would not hesitate buying something from him. As for the car, it is an incredible piece of machinery, regardless of your opinion of the design itself. It is obvious seller took great care and great pride in restoring this car to better than new. The interior alone is just incredible. The leather seats are sumptuous, supportive, and everything inside is as it should be. Carpets, mats, trunk coverings are outstanding. Glass is clear, trim is neat and tidy, with no signs of abuse or things in worn condition. Watching the vent windows open and close was fun, since you never see that kind of thing anymore, the top worked as it should, as did the radio and other items we fiddled with. I don't think the original in dash clock was working, but that is a small nit. Outstanding interior!!

Because the car was inside his office, we didn't run it for long. Seller stated it hadn't been started in weeks. He pumped the peddle twice, and it fired right up, and settled into a nice idle immediately. Engine bay looks virtually new. No disconcerting noises or other issues that I could see. Seller said it runs even better than it looks and I believe him. I did not do an exhaustive test of all the cars options and controls since it was indoors, but then didn't feel the need to, either.

Undercarriage is very nice, very clean, but not over the top. Gas tank was painted to a very high standard, but most other components were simply cleaned and blacked out. I saw zero signs of previous rust or replaced panels. Quarters still had their flanges at the jambs, underside of doors were mint, floors were solid, etc.

Chrome, stainless, and trim on the outside of the car is outstanding. Bumpers have been rechromed, but most of the rest is minty original, having been polished and straightened by the seller himself. Even the door lock covers were in great shape and worked as designed. Windshield is new NOS, headlight covers still have the original gold pinstriping on them, etc etc. No one will be displeased with the outer details of this car.

The Haartz top is flawless IMO. Deep black, soft, perfectly installed, with no creases, tight, and the plastic rear window is as new. Tires like new. Wheel covers super nice originals. (WebMonster note: Wheel covers are not original spec. Originals would have had an offset band of air vents around the perimeter for drum brake cooling.)

The paint and body on this car are what I consider very nice driver quality. Color is consistent throughout, evenly applied, and is a base/clear. IMO, it needs a light color-sand and polish to rid it of minor orange peel and light sanding scratches found here and there. Doing this will really bring out the "pop" in this color, and give the car the final touch it deserves. The body panels are neat and straight, but do have the normal amount of factory "wave" in them when looking down the sides. The driver's door sticks out a small amount, and the trunk lid does as well, but this may be due to new weatherstripping not having softened up much yet. I would consider these issues minor and correctable, and if I were buying the car would not slow me down in making a purchase.

This is a car that has been lovingly restored, with respect for originality and an eye for detail. It is accurately portrayed in the listing, and in fact to my eye is actually better than described.

UPDATE from end of Auction: Sold for $45,000

WebMonster note: There was some concern on the Imperial Mailing List that this might be a former "Shriner" car... and after much investigation and research into "Shriner" VIN's etc. it is our opinion that, YES indeed, this was actually a former 1966 "Shriner" Convertible.

If you are the new owner of this very nice Convertible, please write in and tell us about yourself and your Imperial story.

 


This page was last updated June 2018. Send us your feedback, and come join the Imperial Mailing List - Online Car Club